Leonardo DiCaprio, the name that’s become synonymous with both cinematic excellence and environmental advocacy, truly stands out as one of the most remarkable child actors to successfully transition into a celebrated adult career. Born in Los Angeles, California, back in 1974, Leonardo DiCaprio started young—really young—landing roles in commercials as a kid. It didn’t take long for his talent to catch attention, and by 1990, he joined the cast of the popular sitcom Growing Pains (ABC, 1985–1992), playing Luke, a homeless teenager taken in by the Seaver family. Even then, it was clear: Leonardo DiCaprio had something special.
His breakout moment came when none other than Robert De Niro personally selected him to star alongside him in This Boy’s Life (1993). That same year, DiCaprio delivered an unforgettable performance in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, portraying a young man with a mental disability—a role that earned him widespread critical praise and his first Oscar nomination. From there, Leonardo DiCaprio’s star just kept rising. He captured hearts globally as Romeo opposite Claire Danes in Baz Luhrmann’s bold reimagining of Romeo + Juliet (1996), but it was his next role that catapulted him into superstardom.
In 1997, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in James Cameron’s epic romance Titanic, alongside Kate Winslet. The film became a cultural phenomenon, making DiCaprio not just a household name, but a full-blown teen idol. Yet, instead of chasing more blockbusters, Leonardo DiCaprio made a deliberate shift—choosing projects with depth. He worked with Woody Allen on Celebrity (1998) and began channeling his fame toward environmental activism, a cause close to his heart.
But the real turning point in Leonardo DiCaprio’s career came when he joined forces with legendary director Martin Scorsese for Gangs of New York (2002). That collaboration marked the beginning of one of the most fruitful actor-director partnerships in modern cinema. In the same year, he also dazzled audiences in Ron Howard’s Catch Me If You Can, proving his incredible range. Over the next few years, Leonardo DiCaprio and Scorsese teamed up again for The Aviator (2004), where DiCaprio portrayed aviation tycoon Howard Hughes, and then for the gripping crime thriller The Departed (2005).
More than a decade after Titanic, Leonardo DiCaprio reunited with Kate Winslet in Revolutionary Road (2008), a haunting portrayal of a crumbling marriage. Not long after, he returned once more to Scorsese’s world with Shutter Island (2010), a psychological thriller dripping with suspense. That same year, he took on Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending Inception, further cementing his status as a leading man who could carry complex, ambitious films.
Then came a twist of fate. A last-minute casting change opened the door for Leonardo DiCaprio to step into Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained (2012), where he played the chilling plantation owner Calvin Candie. Though a smaller role, it left a lasting impression. Before that, however, DiCaprio had already delivered powerhouse performances as Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby (2013) and as stockbroker Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)—both showcasing his unmatched intensity and versatility.
And then, in 2015, came The Revenant. Leonardo DiCaprio endured brutal conditions to bring frontiersman Hugh Glass to life, delivering a raw, physically demanding performance that finally earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor—an achievement fans and critics alike had been anticipating for years.
Fast forward to 2019, and Leonardo DiCaprio found himself back in Tarantino’s spotlight, this time as Rick Dalton, a fading Hollywood actor, in Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood. Starring alongside Brad Pitt, DiCaprio brought humor, vulnerability, and nostalgia to the role, helping make the film a major cultural moment. Once again, Leonardo DiCaprio proved that he’s not just surviving in Hollywood—he’s shaping it.
When it comes to Leonardo DiCaprio’s filmography, fans often wonder which movies stand out the most — both for their acclaim and their shortcomings. Well, if we look at the numbers and critical reception, Leonardo DiCaprio’s highest rated film is undoubtedly Catch Me If You Can from 2002. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this gripping true-story-inspired thriller showcases Leonardo DiCaprio in one of his most charismatic and dynamic roles, earning widespread praise and solidifying his status as a leading man. Over the years, audiences and critics alike have consistently ranked this performance among Leonardo DiCaprio’s best.
On the other end of the spectrum, Leonardo DiCaprio’s lowest rated movie appears to be Delirium (2018). Although Leonardo DiCaprio wasn’t the lead in this psychological horror, his involvement as a producer drew attention, and unfortunately, the film received largely negative reviews. While it didn’t feature Leonardo DiCaprio in a major acting capacity, its poor reception still ties back to his broader body of work. So, when evaluating Leonardo DiCaprio’s career highs and lows, Catch Me If You Can shines bright, while Delirium serves as a reminder that even top-tier talents are involved in projects that don’t always resonate with audiences.